Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature Sale 3056 3 Aug 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Canada
George V Specimen 5 Cents 1921 SP63 PCGS, Ottawa mint, KM22a, SP63 PCGS. A legendry rarity within Canadian numismatics and the most acclaimed example of its denomination, easily besting other rare Victorian issues because of the intriguing story behind its survival. Like the 1921 50 cent piece, much of the fame that accompanies the 1921 5 cent piece surrounds its original mintage, and ultimately, its minuscule survival rate. In May of 1921, the government passed legislation to change the composition of the 5 cent piece from silver to nickel, halting the production of this long-produced type. With over 2,500,000 examples already struck however, a decision had to be made about the disposition of these coins. The decision, now well-known to numismatists, was the melting of all previously coined silver of the denomination that was held in reserve. In total, 3,022,665 coins were melted, much of these dated 1920 with nearly all 1921s thought to have been lost. Today, the total surviving population from this date is almost certainly not much greater than 400. While it's not known exactly how the survivors left from the Ottawa mint, a popular theory is simply that they were made available to mint visitors. Others where likely the souvenirs of mint employees. Census data tells us that whatever the case was, most that weren't melted did end up circulating. Few remain fully detailed today, with maybe 30 Uncirculated examples in total with 8-10 of those being from the Specimen sets.
The present example is one of the aforementioned 8-10 Specimen strikings from the sets of the year. The surfaces, attractively presented, display the fine, matte-like texture of the era that produces delicate glowing luster in the fields. Tone mostly centers around the edges where light golden hues cling, with dapples of violet that make an appearance on the reverse. A couple leaves on the reverse are a trifle soft, but they are of little visual relevance. Evidence of handling remains slight. An altogether pleasing please, obviously very rare both conditionally and in the absolute sense - a magnificent chance to obtain the elite of the elite.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 35000-50000 USD
George V Specimen 5 Cents 1921 SP63 PCGS, Ottawa mint, KM22a, SP63 PCGS. A legendry rarity within Canadian numismatics and the most acclaimed example of its denomination, easily besting other rare Victorian issues because of the intriguing story behind its survival. Like the 1921 50 cent piece, much of the fame that accompanies the 1921 5 cent piece surrounds its original mintage, and ultimately, its minuscule survival rate. In May of 1921, the government passed legislation to change the composition of the 5 cent piece from silver to nickel, halting the production of this long-produced type. With over 2,500,000 examples already struck however, a decision had to be made about the disposition of these coins. The decision, now well-known to numismatists, was the melting of all previously coined silver of the denomination that was held in reserve. In total, 3,022,665 coins were melted, much of these dated 1920 with nearly all 1921s thought to have been lost. Today, the total surviving population from this date is almost certainly not much greater than 400. While it's not known exactly how the survivors left from the Ottawa mint, a popular theory is simply that they were made available to mint visitors. Others where likely the souvenirs of mint employees. Census data tells us that whatever the case was, most that weren't melted did end up circulating. Few remain fully detailed today, with maybe 30 Uncirculated examples in total with 8-10 of those being from the Specimen sets.
The present example is one of the aforementioned 8-10 Specimen strikings from the sets of the year. The surfaces, attractively presented, display the fine, matte-like texture of the era that produces delicate glowing luster in the fields. Tone mostly centers around the edges where light golden hues cling, with dapples of violet that make an appearance on the reverse. A couple leaves on the reverse are a trifle soft, but they are of little visual relevance. Evidence of handling remains slight. An altogether pleasing please, obviously very rare both conditionally and in the absolute sense - a magnificent chance to obtain the elite of the elite.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 35000-50000 USD